UFC 90 Preview: Undercard

UFC 90 Preview

 

 

       The UFC is stuffed with talent, almost to the brink of explosion. Every card features a bevy of world title fights, talented superstars, intriguing up-and-comers, and at least one instance where Mike Goldberg says something like "he's one of the most athletic athletes to ever set foot in the octagon!" or "Hughes and his brother used to go out and pound each other behind the barn". On paper, these cards all look fantastic. Then again, so did the 2008 Detroit Tigers. Heres my point: breaking the bank on megacards doesn't always guarantee that you wont be in for a night of forgettable fights.

 

       Why am I telling you all this? Because I think UFC 90 is going to be great. Cote-Silva, Alves-Sanchez, Griffin-Sherk, Reljic-Leites...those are some good fights. As for Werdum vs. The Guy They Found In A Haystack, who knows. More on that later. But I KNOW this is going to be a good card. Right? Um, right? Screw it, I'm previewing it anyway, as I give you the horns and say "3,000 words, Bender. You're mine for 3,000 words."

 

Undercard

Josh Burkman (18-7) vs. Pete Sell (7-4)

 

        Look, it's the token "Win or headline Wild Bills Rockem Sockem Fight Night in 3 months" scrap, a signature staple at every UFC. Both of these guys have been given more chances than Christian Slater. Burkman has solid, if unspectacular wrestling, and striking that could best be described as "unrefined". Sell has better-than-average  jiu-jitsu, acceptable standup skills and the innate ability to win fights, right up until he loses them. One more collapse on this stage and he's officially the Joey Harrington of the UFC.

 

       My prediction? A lackluster affair with scattered boos throughout. I could see Sell running into Josh's fist with his jaw and getting laid out like the Marshall Plan, but I think Burkman uses his wrestling to blanket a defenseless Sell to a decision win.

 

Spencer Fisher (21-4) vs. Shannon Gugerty (11-2)

 

      Shannon Gugerty? Wasn't she on "90210"? Come on. Fisher by second round TKO.

 

 

 

 

Hermes Franca (18-7) vs. Marcus Aurelio (16-6)

 

       The only way this fight will be exciting is if Aurelio is motivated. Since I'm not even sure he was awake when he fought Tyson Griffin, this is far from a guarantee. Both fighters are BJJ black belts and should nullify each other on the ground. Aurelio has a slight edge in standup skills, but Franca packs more of a punch. Also, Aurelio has never been finished and has shown he can take a beating. And Franca has only been finished once, so this ones going the distance. Franca will land one or two knees and the fight will change positions on the ground often, leading to the obligatory "why are they wrapping their legs around each other? Are they faggots or something?" comments from whatever clueless room full of guys you're watching it with. Good times! Franca by decision in what hopefully turns out to be a good fight.

 

Ricardo Almeida (9-3) vs. Matt Horwich (22-10)

 

        Ricardo Almeida is coming off a decision loss to Patrick Cote, while Horwich is making his UFC debut after the IFL went six feet under. Both are old school submission fighters with limited skills on their feet, although Horwich does have two brutal knockouts in his last five fights.

 

        Get ready for about 20 legitimate submission attempts in what should be a great grappling match, with many of them sinking in before the other fighter escapes. Almeida looked very....whats the word...pedestrian on his feet against Cote. He also kind of looks like a chainsaw sculpture. So don't be surprised if he gets caught, just be ready for a late win from Matt Horwich.

         

Rich Clementi (32-12) vs. Gray Maynard (5-0)

 

       Call me crazy, but I think Clementi is a sleeper at 155. He's paid his dues and lost his fair share of fights to alot of great lightweights. Recently though, he has evolved into a wily veteran who stays active and is at the very least a tough out. He's a good fighter. Of course, he also has "NO LOVE" tattooed across his back. I'm not sure what this means.

 

     I see Maynard pushing Rich around early but making a rookie mistake late and going to sleep via a triangle choke that is completely devoid of love. Richie by submission midway through the third round.

Tomorrow, I give you the main card. Hold onto your seats.